Growing up the way I did, you’d think I’d be more screwed up than what I actually am.

Soon as I turned sixteen, I left that bump in the road I called home and took my chances on the street.

Best decision I ever made.

Now, at the age of twenty six, I’m educated, employed and damn good at my job.

My friends have become my family. Like me, they know what it’s like to grow up unloved.

But the saying is true.

The world makes way for those who know where they are going.

That’s me.

I know where I’m going and I’ll get there eventually. On my own terms and at my own pace.

But then there’s him.

I feel his eyes on me. I see him hiding in plain sight. He watches me.

He makes me feel.

It’s unconventional.

But it’s real.

I’m sure you’re wondering how a person falls in love with their stalker.So am I.

This isn’t a story.

This is my life.

Keeping with the Dark Romance theme, Bella Aurora is yet another author who blew me. Now I was pretty nervous about how this would go, having read Willing Captive and Friendzoned I just didn't think dark would work for Belle. Clearly I was wrong...really wrong and I should try not to makes assumptions. I've seen and read a few of the mixed reviews for this book, which had my mouse hovering over the 1-click button for a few seconds but then I was like 'this is Belle we're talking about Alii, don't think just click'. I can say that not only does Belle deliver a wonderfully gritty and intense story with pretty cool characters and an awesome anti-hero, but she completely messes with your emotions in the process. I actually found myself double checking it was written by the same author who gave us Willing Captive when I finished, because I do think this is diversity demonstrated at it's best.I liked Lexi, she fitted in with the heroines we're used to from Belle, but with a certain edge. She is yet another heroine who had a will of steel, because Twitch is definitely no Q or Sculpt. Oh no minions, he's on a whole other level of fucked up, but I'll get to him in a minute. So back to Lexi, she was sweet, endearing, strong, brave and comical at times. I was really interested to see how on earth she could fall for her stalker, I mean my alarm bells were ringing just from stalker, but Lexi takes it all in stride and rather than cause a fuss or anything she's just like 'yeah I have a stalker...and what?' I kinda fell in love with that attitude, she wasn't stupid and was aware it was a precarious situation to be in, but she assessed the situation and proceeded with caution. Twitch goes from being on the sideline to being very much a big part of Lexie's life. The start of her relationship with Twitch is a mixture of weird, unconventional to say the least, intense and a little electrifying. I actually thought my Kindle zapped me during some scenes, no joke minions sparks were flying everywhere and I was completely captivated. As their relationship progressed there were times I really wanted Lexi to tell him where to go, because I was beyond wanting to cause some serious bodily harm most of the time. But Lexie stuck it out despite the warning signs, she wanted to do what we women tend to want to do...she wanted to figure him out, understand him and solidify her connection to him. Don't think she got the pamphlet on being careful what you wish for. I thought Belle did a great job with her character, there many traits I not only admired but recognized myself with, and while there were times I wanted to smack some sense into Lexi nothing could take away from her strong resilience. The best thing about Lexie was that she was just as much a puzzle to Twitch as she was to him, she was not at all what he was expecting especially in the bedroom *wink* she was a contradiction to him, as her sweet persona didn't fit into her wild side.

“There’s something animalistic about this man. Something I want to be a part of. Something I want to be included in. He’s a force of nature.”

“I don't want a knight in shining armor.I don't want a knight in scuffed armor.I want his helmet to have dents. I want my knight to be real, and dark and savage. I want my knight to be a survivor. Someone who's been tested and got through his trails. Not some pussy in gleaming metal.”

As for Twitch, well where do I even begin? *holds head in hands* Straight off the bat you know it's no holds barred for Belle, she socks you right in the gut with his rough, broody and downright scary exterior. He's ruthless, successful and unforgiving. We're talking major alpha vibes. At first it put me off in a big way, because I just did not see myself liking this dude in any way but then...things got heated, words were exchanged and certain actions had me swooning a little. Don't judge me, I tried to resist I really did but he was just...argh...unique and he has this magnetism about him that just draws you in. He's like this delicious piece of chocolate cake sitting in front of you, but you've been forbidden to even smell let alone touch, and everyone knows the more someone tells you can't or shouldn't the more you freaking crave and want it! That's exactly what Belle did, she screws with your head, and we become like Lexi knowing he's no good 'cause the man screams danger and yet we're helpless to resist his pull. Resistance is futile minions, but by all means give it your best shot. Now his relationship with Lexie was no fairytale, it was real, gritty and raw giving you no illusions of a HEA. In all honesty Twitch was like the definition of arsehole, just when you would start warming up to him he'd go an ruin it all. Urgh and his profession turns your stomach especially when seeing it all from his POV, he's a cold merciless bastard who makes no apologies for who he is. You either take him as he is, or you can just piss off really. His treatment of Lexi is harsh to say the least, especially when we're given his reason for pursuing her, but then he had his moments where he'd somewhat redeem himself in our eyes as well Lexie's. I think the interesting thing about Twitch is that Belle lays it all out for us like she reaches into our heads, takes that stereotype we carry of a hero and then beats it with a hammer till all you have left is this mangled and damaged lump, handing it back to you saying 'here you go' with a smile on her face.

“Not everyone can be a fairy-tale hero.” He pauses a moment, then adds, “The world needs villains too.”

"if you promise to never leave me, I will love you. And be good to you. I'll treat you like a queen." My queen. I heard somewhere that a king only bows down to his queen. And I'm bowing down to Lexi.

That bloody ending! No word of a lie I actually cried, and then...and then Belle reveals something HUGE and I'm pretty sure my heart stopped beating. How could you play with my emotions like that Belle?! I spent a goodly amount of time screaming into a pillow to purge myself of all the excess emotion, I just couldn't wrap my head around how it could end like that. I should have known Belle would do something like this, I mean after Willing Captive I don't know why I thought any different. Words cannot describe my eagerness for the next book. Well played Belle, well bloody played. This book was everything it says it is and more, while dark and downright scary at times it was just really gritty, consuming, suspenseful and well RAW.My rating is therefore 4 'messed-up heroes rock' stars! It's not your conventional love story, and that's what gives the book its edge. If you're tired of reading the same plot lines, with typical characters or hey even just looking to break out of your comfort zone, then look no further because if you're looking for a book that will have your emotions running rampant, have you reevaluating your perceptions of a love story and just plain rocking your world then this is minions. Belle has a unique writing style and plenty of witty banter, keeping the pace of the book steady and building everything up to just the right moment. She's definitely an author I recommend taking note of, 'cause something tells me there's plenty more to come.